She was the star football player at her school. Extremely beautiful, popular, a prankster, yet not bitchy. She is also very friendly, unless you get on her bad side. Never had any relationships in high school? There is a reason for that; read on to find out. She disappeared ten years ago, literally. She left no notes-nothing to get an idea of where she went. Sure, her father gave the school the excuse that, due to the family's difficult times, they were moving. But where? She also has the most unusual relationship with a guy named Nate (Nathaniel). They may know almost everything about each other; they may be the greatest friends, yet they were enemies. They were known to throw the ultimate type of prank on one another. NATHANIEL (NATE) MAISIE WILLIAMS He was the quarterback for his team. Every girl worshipped him for everything. The school's most popular boy changed girls' clothes. swoon-worthy body, perfect hair, and unusually beautiful eyes. You get it, don't you? Knew Sydney since he was four years old. Ultimate prankster. When Sid (Sydney) disappeared, he tried to search for her. His father was the highest-ranking employee at Williams Industries, so he had the power. But she was nowhere to be found. Fast forward ten years and he is now the CEO of the still highest earning/ranking Williams Industries, a no-strings type of guy who still manages to attract the most girls.
CHAPTER I
Sydney
I woke up with a nightmare again. AGAIN.
Those sleeping pills aren't working right. The nightmares are also going well, but they are more scary.
-the nightmare -
"You slut! How dare you show up at my house with your fucking friends again!" The man slapped me twice on my cheek. I could feel the tears pooling in my eyes again, but I wouldn't let them fall. I wouldn't give him satisfaction. The man glowered at me, took a fistful of my hair, and yanked it. That stings a lot. Then he pushed me to the ground and kicked me in the stomach twice.
"Please," I begged him to stop, "I won't let them come here again, I promise."
The man laughed wickedly and got up. He took my chin forcibly and made me look at him. He reeked of alcohol. "You're pathetic, you know that; you are just like your mom-a whore. There is no place on earth where you'll survive. Now repeat, what are you?" He looked at me. This was the routine: after he lost a game, he would beat me up and make me repeat what he had taught me since my mother died.
"Repeat!" he shouted, and he slapped me hard on the cheek again. I sobbed loudly and whispered, "I am a slut, just like mom." He smiled, satisfied, and then abruptly got up and went to the next room. Taking this as an opportunity, I ran up the stairs into my room and locked the door.
-nightmare ends-
Those were hard times. But it's in the past, of course. I miss my mom every day. She told me that I would get a better life; maybe I will, but only when I forget my past. But forgetting is the most difficult thing to do. I still remember the day perfectly. My friends, Lila and Nate, were walking me to the door. but I didn't let them in. It was always like that; I never invited them in when my father, the dreadful man, was there. My father must have seen them. I worked very hard for money, which could get me into a good college, but things didn't turn out well. You see-
My alarm snapped me out of my reverie. It's seven right now. I took a deep breath in and tried convincing myself, "It's the past, Sid. It will never come back." I got out of bed and dragged myself to the shower. Although it's the worst day of the week, Monday, it's like a new start for me. I have an interview today with the head of the HR department at Williams Industries. It's one of the highest-ranking industries in the world.
I let the warm water calm my nerves. Damn! I felt rejuvenated. Quickly, I put on my coat, suit, and heels. I used a little blush on my face and mascara to pop out my eyes. Although I am not Emma Stone or any other Emma, I won't deny that I am beautiful. No girl should ever do that, no matter how many times you are snubbed for being ugly or fat. Beauty always comes from within; my mom taught me that. She died when I was ten years old, leaving me with the monster. After finishing with my eyes, I grabbed my purse, reviewing myself one last time in the mirror.
***
Oh, my God! The building is huge. Sure, I saw many pictures in magazines and all. But they don't do any justice to this beautiful piece of architecture. The insides were so luxurious and elegant. Each and every person in there screamed money. Damn! Would I fit here?
I made my way towards the receptionist. She was taking calls and typing at the same time. I waited for her to finish her call.
"Hi, how can I help you?" she asked, putting the receiver down.
"Hi, I am here to meet Ms. Rachel Mitchell," I replied, but she cut me off.
"The PA interview?" she asked, and I nodded. "You are the final sixth one; here's the card; Lily will lead you." She nodded at the blonde sitting there nervously.
The blonde, who I assume was Lily, got up and told me to follow her. She led me to a waiting room and told me to wait until my name was called. Wow! sixth candidate-that must be tough competition. I looked around me; all four others were impeccably beautiful and well groomed. Not to mention how they didn't fall while walking in those stilettos. The room was white with blue furniture. Nice combination...
The microphone sprang to life, and a voice through it said, "Sydney Parker, you may come in now." I took a deep breath in as another candidate came out. I got up and walked in. The room was full of shelves on which neatly stacked folders rested. In the middle of the room sat an old woman, who must be in her mid-sixties, with a big smile on her face. She had a kind face and had no makeup on. I am starting to like her already.
"Good morning, Sydney; please take your seat," she said in a cheerful voice.
I murmured "good morning and took my seat. She started, "So, I am the head of the HR department, Finley Brooke, and I would be conducting your interview." She must be following some protocol since she is stating the obvious, I thought.
I nodded and waited for her to ask me questions. She asked some normal questions about my age, schooling, and college. I answered them articulately, praying she wouldn't ask me the question of why I started college two years late. Well, she did. Fuck my luck.
"Why did you start college two years later, Sydney?" I was tempted to say, "None of your business," but replied with a tight smile, "Family circumstances." She nodded, and she didn't ask me any further questions. After checking my portfolio one last time, she told me to wait outside.
She's his guilty pleasure. She is his forbidden fruit. And she is the wife of his brother. But fuck him to hell and back; he will have her in his bed, naked, sweating, and moaning his name. But how is he going to do that?
"Vexen, you know that I love you and I want the best of you, right?" he said. Even though I wondered what he was doing, I nodded. "You're already twenty-five and not getting any younger. And I'm old too. So I want to see you get married before I die." I swallowed. I don't think I'll like what PapĂ has to say to me. "And?" "I want you to marry the second son of the Mancini, he said, making my eyes widen. "I'm sorry, PapĂ . I must have heard wrong. Potrebbe ripetare per favore?" Can you please say that again? "Voglio che tu sposi il secondogenito dei Mancini." He repeated what he said, so I really stood up. "No! No, Papa. I won't marry him!" "Vexen! I already made a promise to Mr. Mancini that you would marry his second son!" I shook my head. What's the trick again? I will marry Mancini's slender son. Maybe instead of him protecting me, I will protect him! "No, Papa! I will not marry him!" "You will not embarrass me at the Mancini, Vexen!" I laughed. Why is it because he's making an agreement? He's not the one getting married! "All my life I've been following your orders, PapĂ ! Even if it's dangerous for me! I followed your orders with no complaints, so please, just this once. Spare me just this once, PapĂ !" "No, Vexen! If you will not marry the second son of Mancini, then forget that you have a father! And I will forget you and treat you as a dead person if you say no again!" I couldn't believe I was looking at my father. I wanted to cry, but I was so surprised that he could tell me that. Just because I won't marry the Mancini family, will he forget that I'm his daughter? I laughed and shook my head, one after another. "No. I will not marry the Mancini, and if that's what you want, then I will forget that I have a father, too, I said before I left his office and went to my room.
The dream of everyone with regards to marriage is to be able to find that special someone and settle down with them. Even arranged marriages grant you an opportunity to meet your partner briefly before the wedding. How will you feel about waking up in the morning with someone sleeping next to you who is not just anyone but your legally married partner yet with no memory of how that had happened in just a few hours of going out the previous day? This is the story of Jason Haward and Julia Harrison, two strangers trapped in a marriage they never planned. The quest to find out why led to the unfolding of a mystery which made them realize they are both living a lie. To find out more, read this amazing story of love, betrayal, revenge and murder.
For as long as Emily can remember, she has wanted to overcome her shyness and explore her sexuality. Still, everything changes when she receives an invitation to visit one of the town's most prestigious BDSM clubs, DESIRE'S DEN. On the day she chose to peruse the club, she noticed three men, all dressed in suits, standing on the upper level, near the railing. Despite her limited vision, she persisted in fixating on them. Their towering statues belied the toned bodies concealed by their sharply tailored suits-or so she could tell. The hair of two of them was short and dark, and the third had light brown-possibly blond-hair that reached the shoulders. The dark, crimson background incised their figures, exuding an air of mystery and strength. They stood in stark contrast to the unfiltered, primal energy that pulsed through the club. Shocked by the desires these men aroused in her, she was disappointed to learn that they were masters seeking a slave to divide and conquer. She couldn't afford the fee, and she also realized that they were outside her league. Emily hurriedly left the club, feeling disappointed and depressed, unaware that she had also caught the group's attention. A world of wicked pleasure, three handsome men. Over the years, they have lived a life of decadence, their lavish lair serving as a stage for their most sinister desires. But despite the unending parade of willing subjects, one woman sticks out. A mysterious stranger with white porcelain skin and a killer body, a slave, a name with no address, the first lady to attract their eye and they will go to any length to obtain her no matter the consequences.
Belinda thought after divorce, they would part ways for good - he could live his life on his own terms, while she could indulge in the rest of hers. However, fate had other plans in store. "My darling, I was wrong. Would you please come back to me?" The man, whom she once loved deeply, lowered his once proud head humbly. "I beg you to return to me." Belinda coldly pushed away the bouquet of flowers he had offered her and coolly replied, "It's too late. The bridge has been burned, and the ashes have long since scattered to the wind!"
It was supposed to be a marriage of convenience, but Carrie made the mistake of falling in love with Kristopher. When the time came that she needed him the most, her husband was in the company of another woman. Enough was enough. Carrie chose to divorce Kristopher and move on with her life. Only when she left did Kristopher realize how important she was to him. In the face of his ex-wife’s countless admirers, Kristopher offered her 20 million dollars and proposed a new deal. “Let’s get married again.”
The Billionaire Betrayed Wife follows Rachael Morgan, an orphan whose search for love leads her into the ruthless world of the Blackwood family. Betrayed by her husband and tormented by her adoptive sister, Rachael's life spirals into chaos when she's cast out and left to survive on the streets, pregnant and alone. Just when all hope seems lost, a mysterious savior from her past rescues her, giving her the chance to heal and rebuild. Years later, she returns stronger, armed with a fierce desire for revenge. With her son by her side, Rachael will stop at nothing to destroy those who shattered her trust-even if it means risking everything to reclaim her life and her power.
Cathryn, an orphan with no family ties to Grayson, regarded him only as family. He, however, valued her as a precious jewel. From their very first encounter, Cathryn's destiny was intertwined with his. Once lonely and desiring affection, she was ensnared by his love, unable to break free. Eventually, she managed to escape his emotional clutches. Shockingly, she had fallen for someone else. Grayson confronted her sharply. "How could you feel for another?" Unable to meet his eyes, she whispered, "You're family. I can't..." Looking down, he pressed further. "You can't, or you wouldn’t dare?"